Spring-Urged Burner Igniter for Repeatable Positioning in Gas Cooktops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cooktop igniter configurations face challenges in precise and repeatable positioning due to friction fit attachments, leading to inconsistent spark gaps and difficult assembly processes, often requiring multiple workers for multiple burner installations.
Innovation Solution
An igniter attached to the lower burner mounting structure using a spring or urging member, which pushes the igniter toward the burner body, ensuring precise and repeatable positioning and allowing for easier assembly by capturing the igniter before the top sheet is lowered, eliminating the need for holding the top sheet during wiring connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If friction fit attachment is used to hold the igniter in position, then the igniter can be easily installed, but the igniter position becomes unstable over time due to wear, resulting in inconsistent spark gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The igniter is designed with a movable mounting structure that allows dynamic adjustment of the igniter position. The igniter can be moved along the burner body to achieve the correct spark gap distance, and once positioned, it is secured to maintain that position. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy installation (through movement) and long-term stability (through secure positioning at the correct location).
Solution Approach 2:
The igniter position is predetermined and marked on the burner body before installation. The installer follows these pre-marked positions to ensure correct placement from the start, preventing wear-related position drift. This preliminary positioning action ensures both ease of installation (by providing clear guidance) and reliability (by establishing the correct position before any wear occurs).
2Manufacturing precision
If the igniter is attached to the burner body requiring the top sheet to be held in place, then the igniter can be properly positioned, but the assembly process becomes complex requiring multiple workers
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process is segmented into independent steps: first, the igniter is positioned and secured to the burner body on the lower side of the top sheet; second, the top sheet is then lowered into place without needing to be held. This segmentation eliminates the need for coordination between multiple workers and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining positioning accuracy through the pre-marked guidance system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the igniter to the top side of the burner body (which would require holding the top sheet), the igniter is inverted and attached to the lower side of the burner body. This inversion allows the igniter to be secured before the top sheet is installed, eliminating the need for complex coordination and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
3Productivity
If multiple burners are installed with traditional igniter attachment methods, then complete burner coverage is achieved, but assembly time increases due to the need for multiple workers to hold top sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The igniter positioning marks are pre-established on the burner body before assembly begins. This preliminary preparation allows installers to quickly and accurately position multiple igniters without requiring coordination with other workers, significantly reducing assembly time per burner and increasing overall productivity while maintaining consistent positioning accuracy across all burners.
Solution Approach 2:
The burner assembly is designed to be self-assembling without requiring external support. The igniter secures itself to the burner body using the pre-marked positions, and the top sheet lowers into place automatically without needing to be held by additional workers. This self-service capability eliminates the need for multiple workers and dramatically reduces assembly time, allowing rapid installation of multiple burners.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides consistent and repeatable igniter placement, simplifies the assembly process, and ensures reliable lighting by maintaining the igniter's position through surface-to-surface engagement with the burner body, reducing the need for multiple assembly workers and minimizing wear-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member that pushes against the lower burner mounting structure, and urges the igniter in a direction away from the lower burner mounting structure and toward the igniter positioning surface of the burner body
Data Source
AI summary
A burner assembly for a domestic gas cooktop includes a lower burner mounting structure positioned on a first side of the top sheet; a burner body configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the top sheet, the burner body having an igniter positioning surface; an igniter having an igniter end, and a stop integrally formed in the igniter, the stop having an upper ledge; and an urging member that pushes against the lower burner mounting structure, and urges the igniter in a direction away from the lower burner mounting structure and toward the igniter positioning surface such that the upper ledge of the stop is urged into contact with the igniter positioning surface when the burner assembly is in an assembled condition. The igniter is held in an operating position by the burner body and the urging member when the burner assembly is in use.